<p>I was recently rejected from my dream school, Notre Dame. I was admitted to some great schools, and I have narrowed them down to Vanderbilt and USC.</p>
<p>I think my decision would be easier if I knew what I wanted to do as far as majors is concerned. I am undecided at both.</p>
<p>I think it is important to know that I would like to live in Southern California after graduation, so you would think USC would be the obvious pick. I love USC's campus and the programs that they offer, but Vandy is hard to pass up. Not only is it ranked 19th in the country, but it also said to have one of the most beautiful campuses in the country ( im visiting next week ). But, Vandy would also be a huge culture shock. </p>
<p>So, I am really confused... and I was wondering if you guys could give me your opinions of these schools.</p>
<p>I am not sure where you live now, but I don't know why you think Vandy would be such a huge culture shock. It IS southern, but there are plenty of students from the northeast and other parts of the country. It is pretty frat-oriented, but so is USC. Nashville is a great city and there is a lot to do. The climate is great, in my opinion. It isn't California, but there are all 4 seasons and nothing particularly extreme. The campus is gorgeous and the surrounding area is nice and safe. Do you like country music? Nashville has gotten a lot less "southern" in the last 10 or 15 years. However, people are still incredibly friendly and helpful and the cost of living is low.</p>
<p>OP -- you love USC's campus? I guess strictly speaking I can understand you love it <em>within</em> its borders, but do you like the neighborhood?</p>
<p>Re Vandy, I don't know how long it will take you to get over the shock of the courtesy and hospitality that part of the country is known for! Give me that kind of shock any day :)</p>
<p>The undergraduate population of USC is much larger than Vanderbilt (approx. 2 1/2 times as large.) </p>
<p>The area around Vanderbilt is much safer than that around USC, if the anecdotes I've heard over the last couple of years are accurate.</p>
<p>How about the housing situation? I don't really know much about USC housing. Vanderbilt has built all new freshman housing, called the Commons. After this year, all undergrads will be expected to live in on-campus housing--there is a variety of housing types.</p>
<p>What about ease of travel from where you live? Perhaps there are significant differences in price, availability of flights, trains or buses.</p>
<p>Class size: I think there may be a significant difference here--smaller at Vanderbilt, even for freshman classes.</p>
<p>The amount of financial aid from Vanderbilt is very, very good. For many students, it would be hard to pass up such a school with aid like that.</p>
<p>One more note: a long time ago, my H was on the faculty at ND. My son is a student at Vanderbilt, and while I am sorry you did not get into your dream school, I'm going to bet you would like Vanderbilt at least as much.</p>
<p>Vandy is PAYING you to go there
Vandy is higher rated
Vandy is a much nicer campus
Vandy has smaller classes
Vandy will treat with with southern hospitality</p>
<p>and you're not sure between that an Figueroa Tech? do we need a reality check here?</p>
<p>It looks like ease of travel goes in the USC column. I can't find any evidence of nonstop flights from Phoenix to Nashville. One stop flights are not too pricey but take half a day, looks like.</p>